Shelf construction



SHELF CONSTRUCTION 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001;. 14, 1959 INVENTOR.

ALLAN D. FQSTER QUMEWQ HI-Iii ATTORNEYS March 21, 1961 A FOSTER2,975,909

SHELF CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 14, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

ALLAN D. FOSTER wmm ATTOR N EYS March 21, 1961 FOSTER 2,975,909

SHELF CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 14, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

ALLAN D. FOSTER Y wwgm ATTORNEYS March 21, 1961 FOSTER 2,975,909

SHELF CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 14, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

ALLAN D. FOSTER Bywmgelmo ATTORNEYS March 21, 1961 Filed 001:. 14, 1959A. D. FOSTER 2,975,909

SHELF CONSTRUCTION 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 36 j IN V EN TOR.

ALLEN D. FOSTER BY WE/WSQOAEG).

ATTOR NEYS March 1961 A. D. FOSTER SHELF CONSTRUCTION 7 Sheets-Sheet 6Filed Oct. 14, 1959 IN V EN TOR.

ALLAN D FOSTER Q -LQ EAA W ATTORNEYS March 21, 1961 TER SHELFCONSTRUCTION 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Oct. 14, 1959 INVENTOR.

ALLAN D. FOSTER wzm g ATTORNEYS SHELF CONSTRUCTION Allan D. Foster,Grosse Pointe, Mich, assignor to Almor Corporation, Detroit, Mich.

Filed Oct. 14, 1959, Ser. No. 846,300

6 Claims. (Cl. 211-450) This invention relates to a shelf constructionand more particularly to a tilting shelf arrangement useful fordisplaying merchandise in various types of stores.

In displaying merchandise in stores, it is common to use a wall type ofshelving, which rests upon the floor, and also an island type ofshelving where shelves extend outwardly from opposite sides of a centersupport. In such types of shelving, it is desirable, at times, that thebottom shelf be tilted relative to the horizontal to better hold orbetter display some particular articles of merchandise. At other times,it is desirable that the bottom shelf be horizontal.

Thus, it is an object of this invention to form a shelf constructionwith a bottom shelf which may be arranged either horizontally or tiltedand which may be adjusted quickly, simply, without using any tools, andby one man using very little effort, and wherein the shelf constructionmay'be assembled either as a wall unit or as an island unit.

A further object of this invention is to provide a base constructionwhich will support the opposite ends of a shelf horizontally or tilted,and wherein a single base member may be used to support two shelves endto end to extend the length of the unit.

Another object of this invention is to form a tilting shelf arrangementhaving a back panel which is pivoted at its upper end and frictionallyconnected to the back of the tiltable shelf at its lower end so that thepanel and shelf move as a unit and wherein the panel is formed so as touse a minimum are or floor space when adjusted from one position toanother and is formed so as to provide a minimum of interference withthe display of merchandise on the shelf.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent upon reading the following description of which the attacheddrawings form a part.

In these drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an island shelf unit.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the shelf unit (assembled as a wall unit)and with the tiltable shelf in its horizontal position.

a Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but with the tiltable :shelf in itstilted position.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the base and its connection to thesupport column.

' Fig. 5 is a view taken in the direction of arrows 5-5 of Fig. 4, and

'Fig. 6 is a view taken in the direction of arrows 6-6 of Fig. 4.

'Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective illustration of various parts formingthe shelf support and tilting arrangement.

'Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the adapter, per se.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged end view of the adapter taken in the direction ofarrows 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a top view of the adapter shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a view, partially in cross-section of the Patented 'Mar. 21-,1961 column, base, adapter, panel, and with the shelf being in itshorizontal position.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 but with the shelf in its tiltedposition.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, showing two shelves end toend and taken in the direction of arrows 13-13 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken in the direction ofarrows 14-14 of Fig. 11.

In Fig. 1, an island shelf unit 10 is illustrated. This unit consists ofa plurality of shelves 1.1 with back panels 12 arranged verticallybehind the shelves and with a lower, tiltable shelf 13 and a tiltableback panel 14. The unit could be assembled as an island with shelvesextending from its opposite sides, or as a wall unit with shelvesextending only from one side (see Figs. 2 and 3). The constructionherein is easily adapted to either arrangement of the shelves by simplyomitting certain of the parts.

The tiltable bottom shelf .13 is arranged to be either horizontal ortilted relative to the horizontal as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Backpanel 14 is arranged to move with the shelf. It is supported at its topby hinges 15, which may be in the form of pins connected to columns 20(described below) and small openings formed in the panel to receive thepins, for swinging about a horizontal was.

The panel 14 is formed out of a single thin sheet of a material such asthin sheet metal and is bent into an upper flat portion 16 and a lowerflat portion 17 connected by a step portion 18. As can be seen in Figs.2 and 3, the flat portions are so arranged relative to each other, thatthe lower portion 17 is perpendicular to the upper surface of the shelf13 and is thus vertical when the shelf is horizontal. At this time, theupper portion 16 extends downwardly and rearwardly of the shelf as shownin Fig. 2. Conversely, when the shelf is tilted forwardly and upwardly,the upward flat portion 16 is vertical and the lower flat portion isarranged at an angle to the vertical. With this arrangement, a minimumof space is used by the panel and the panel is formed so as not tointerfere with the storage of merchandise on the shelf.

The supporting structure for the shelf construction includes a pair ofspaced apart, vertical, support columns 20 (see Figs. 5 and 13). Eachsupport column is formed of two identical halves 21, each having'benttherefrom tongues 22 having enlarged heads that fit into bent channels23 of the opposite halves. The two halves are assembled by simplysliding one into the other. The tongues form walls which are providedwith a series of spaced apart slots 24.

In order to support the vertical columns, each column is provided with abase member 27 (see Figs. 4 and 7). If the shelf is to be assembled as awall type of shelf, (as in Fig. 2) then only one base member is providedfor each vertical column. Where an island construction (see Fig. l) isdesired, then two base members are used for each vertical column. Eachbase member is formed of a vertically arranged plate 28 having aconnecting means at its rearward end. This connecting means is formed ofa U-shaped channel member 29 welded or otherwise secured to the end ofthe plate which is fitted into the channel. The channel is cut out atplaces to form loops 30 which are inserted through the slots 24 in thetongues 22 of the support column. The channel members 29 are providedwith side flanges 31 which extend around the outside of the verticalcolumn for added rigidity (see Fig. 5).

The loops 30 are retained within the slots 24 by means of a fastenerconsisting of a pair of vertically arranged pins 32 secured to a bottomplate 33. The pins enter the space between the loops 30 and the tongue22 through which the loops are passed. The pins will engage either oneor two base members depending upon how many are used. Also, the bottomplate 33 may be provided with an adjustable screw 34 which contacts thefloor and may be adjusted to level the unit.

Each base member is provided with a socket 35 formed by alternatelystriking out loops in opposite directions from the plate to form acircular in cross-section socket which is threaded and which receives athreaded bolt 36 also used for the purposes of resting upon the floorand acting as a levelling means.

The top of each of the plates 28 is provided with a channel 37 which maybe formed by splitting the top into tabs 38 and bending the tabsoppositely so as to form a continuous channel extending the length ofthe plate, but with the channel having side walls that are interrupted.

An adapter '40, in the form of an elongated U-shaped channel is fittedinto each of the channels 37 of the base plates 2-8. Referring to Figs.8-10, the adapter '40 is provided With bent flanges 41 on its innerrearward end with slots 42 formed in the flanges. These flanges fitaround the support column above the flanges 31 of the base. A portion ofthe tilting panel 17 adjacent each side flange 43 fits into these slots42, as shown in Figure 13, to connect the bottom part of the panel tothe adapter. Each adapter is provided with struck out support lugs 45 asits sides and also struck out stop lugs 46. As shown in Figs. 11 and 12,the lugs normally fit into spaces where the channels on the base platesare interrupted so that these lugs extend outwardly of the channel 37.

However, the adapter may be pulled forwardly with its front end tiltedupwards (see Fig. 12) wherein the lugs 45 rest upon the top of the tabs38 defining the channel 37, to thus support the adapter in a tiltedposition. The stop lugs 46 act as stop means to contact the verticaledges of the tabs to limit the forward and rearward motion of theadapters in the channel 37.

The tiltable shelf 13 is provided with downwardly depending end flanges48, which extend into the adapter 40 (see Fig. 9). Where a bank ofseparate shelf units are assembled together and it is desired tointerconnect the adjacent tilting shelves to maintain them in a planarrelationship, the flange 48 of the second tiltable shelf may also beinserted into the same adapter so that the adapter holds two flanges 4,8of two shelves 13 that are aligned end to end.

The rear end of the shelf 13 is prowlded with an upwardly openingchannel 50 which may extend its entire length and be bent from the sheetforming the shelf (see Figs. 11, 12 and l3). Tongues 51 are struck outof the back panel 14. The series of tongues 51 are bent to receive thechannel 50 (see figures 11 and 12) and thereby frictionally interlockthe panel 17 to the shelf 13 so that the two move together as if theywere of one piece.

In operation, the shelf is assembled by first assembling the basemembers 27 to the vertical columns by inserting their loops 36 throughthe slots 24 in the vertical columns and then by inserting the pinconnectors 32. Thereafter, the levelling bolts 34 and 36 are adjusted tolevel the shelves. Then, the adapters are inserted into the channels 37of the base members so that they fit completely within their channels.

Next, the back panel 17 is suspended from its pins 15 so it hangs downfreely but with its bottom edge portions which are adjacent flanges '43fitted into the slots 42 of the adapters. Thereafter, the shelf 13 isarranged so that its flanges '48 fit into the adapters and so that itschannel 50 fits into the bent tongues 51 to rest between the tongues andthe surface of the back panel 14.

In this condition, the shelf is horizontal and may stay that way for aslong as is needed. Where it is desired to tilt the shelf, the adapter isgrasped at its forward end t and is pulled forwardly and upwardly sothat the lugs 45 rest upon the top edges of tabs 38 defining the channel37. The shelf 13 moves with it as does the rear panel 14, and the shelfis then in its tilted position.

This invention may be further developed within the scope of thefollowing attached cliams. Accordingly, it is desired that the foregoingdescription be read as being merely illustrative of an operativeembodiment of this invention and not in a strictly limiting sense.

I now claim:

1. A shelf construction comprising a base member in the form of asubstantially vertically arranged plate having a forward end, the topedge of the plate being formed into an upwardly opening, base channelhaving side Walls which are interrupted in places, with the channelbeing substantially horizontally arranged; a tilting adapter in the formof an elongated, upwardly opening, channel shaped strip shaped to extendthe length of and be received within said base channel, lugs formed on aside of the strip, the lugs normally being positioned at the placeswhere the base channel side walls are interrupted so as to extend out ofthe side of the base channel, the adapter being slidable forwardly ashort distance within the base channel by lifting the forward end of theadapter upwards, out of the plate channel to thus tilt the adapterrelative to the base channel, and the lugs being formed to rest on topof the base channel walls when the adapter is so tilted, to support theadapter in its tilted position; and a shelf in the form of a flatsurface having at least one depending side flange fitted Within theadapter channel whereby the flat surface may be arranged substantiallyhorizontally when the adapter is completely fitted in the base channeland may be tilted at an angle corresponding to the angle of tilting ofthe adapter when the adapter is tilted.

2. A shelf construction comprising a base consisting of a pair ofsubstantially vertically arranged plates each having a forward end, theplates being spaced apart from one another and arranged to support theopposite ends of a shelf extending between them; each of said platesbeing provided with an upwardly opening, base channel formed on a topthereof with the two channels being parallel and substantiallyhorizontal and with the side walls of each channel being interrupted inplaces; an adapter fitted into each channel, the adapters beingidentical and each being in the form of an elongated, upwardly openingchannel of a. size to fit within their respective base channels, andeach adapter having lugs formed on at least one side thereof, the lugsnormally being positioned at the places where the base channel sidewalls are interrupted, and normally extending out of the sides of thebase channels, the adapters being movable forwardly within their basechannels by lifting the forward end of each adapter upwardly out oftheir base channels to thereby tilt the adapters relative to theirchannels and with their lugs resting on top of the base channel walls tosupport the adapters in their tilted position; and a shelf having a topsurface and opposite ends provided with downwardly depending flanges,with the flanges each fitted into an adapter whereby the angle of thetop surface of the shelf may be adjusted by positioning the adaptershorizontally within the base channels or by tilting the adapters.

3. A construction as defined in claim 2 and wherein each of the adaptersis provided with at least a pair of stop lugs formed on the sidesthereof and extending away from the sides of the adapters, the top lugsbeing arranged to fit within the interruptions to the walls of the basechannels at all times and being arranged to engage the edges of the basechannel walls which edges are formed by the interruptions thereto, tothus limit the amount of endwise movements of the adapters rela tive totheir base channels.

4. A construction as defined in claim 2 and including an upwardlyextending column connected to the rear end of each of the plates; ashelf back in the form of a substantially vertically arranged panelpositioned between the columns and having its side edges each closelyadjacent to one of the columns, the panel being hingedly connected atits top edge to each of the columns for hinging action about ahorizontal axis, and having its bottom edge rigidly connected to theshelf for swinging of the panel along with movement of the shelf.

5. A construction as defined in claim 4, and wherein the bottom edge ofthe panel is connected to the rearward edge of the shelf by means of anupwardly opening channel formed along the rearward edge of the shelf,and a plurality of tongues struck out of the panel, the tongues beingbent upwardly to tightly receive and hold the channel between thetongues and the surface of the panel.

6. A shelf construction comprising a pair of spaced apart verticallyarranged columns, each column having at least one base supporting saidcolumn; a substantially vertically arranged back panel extending betweenthe columns and having side edges, each closely adjacent to a column,the upper end of the back panel being hingedly connected to the columnsfor swinging the panel about a horizontal axis; a shelf at the bottom ofthe panel, said shelf having a rear edge adjacent to the panel and meansconnecting said rear edge to the panel, said means for connecting theshelf to the panel consisting of a continuous, upwardly opening channelbent from the rear edge of the shelf and struck-out tongues bent fromthe panel, with the tongues receiving the channel and frictionallyholding the channel between the tongues and the panel whereby the paneland the shelf may be moved as a unit and means on said base forselectively supporting the shelf in a horizontal position or in a tiltedposition relative to the horizontal.

References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS HallMay 16, 1922

